Use
African images for invitations, collages and to hang on the
wall or from streamers for your African party. National Geographic
Magazine is a great resource. Visit local garage sales, libraries
or thrift stores to pick up magazines. You can find animals,
maps and people - and it's a great way to get kids involved
with decorating as well. Have them find pictures, cut them out
and glue them to construction paper.

Plan
an African themed scavenger hunt. Either create your own list,
or download an amazing list off the Internet! CLICK
HERE

African
background music adds great atmosphere to your event. Check
into your local library's International Music selection. You
may modern and traditional music. Check out a few and quickly
peruse the selections to see which music you like best. Playing
music during the beginning of your event will set the mood
for arriving guests.

Have
an African trivia game during your African party. Provide
a large map and ask simple questions about the capital of
a country, or what country is directly north or another. Do
more research and you can ask about famous athletes, politicians
or events in Africa.

Your
African party will benefit from some African masks as decoration
on the walls, the table, or on your guests! Check out a few
books at the library on African Masks. Sometimes you can find
children's books with mask stencils provided. Trace the outline
of three different masks (as well as the eye holes and other
crucial features.) Choose a color for each mask outline (preferably
earth tones and greens) and cut out a bunch of masks from
construction paper. You can paint, color or cut more colored
paper to decorate the masks, if you like - adding stripes,
feathers, whatever other decorations you see in the reference
books you have. The stencil tracing and cutting are more great
activities that children can help you with. Now take the masks
you've cut out and create an alternating pattern on the wall
with them! They look great at eye level and can create a wonderful
African look to your party venue!

Serve
African inspired food at your African party. Visit your local
African market (check the phone book if you're unfamiliar
with local international markets) and find some unique foods
to offer in addition to a more traditional menu you might
have planned. If you cannot find a local market, you might
special order items from a market online. It can be exciting
to taste a rare or exotic meat. (Ostrich, crocodile, snake...)
Again, check out a book of African foods at the library -
or online - and create your own African inspired menu!

Make
beaded bracelets during your African party. Budget permitting,
you can make necklaces (they require more beads and string
than bracelets.) Visit your local hobby store or beading store
for the wire or thread, findings and beads. If you know well
enough in advance, try ordering beads online - you can sometimes
get better deals that way (see Fire Mountain Gems for a fantastic
selection!)

For
some great African Safari party supplies, check out Birthday
Express